Polly Bergen
Actor
About Polly Bergen
Polly Bergen, born Nellie Paulina Burgin, was an American actress, singer, television host, and entrepreneur who enjoyed a remarkably diverse career spanning over six decades. She began her career as a singer in the late 1940s, signing with Capitol Records and scoring several hit songs before transitioning to acting. Her film debut came in 1950 with 'At War with the Army,' where she appeared alongside Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in their first film together. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she established herself as a versatile performer, appearing in films like 'Cape Fear' (1962) opposite Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Bergen successfully transitioned to television, hosting her own variety show 'The Polly Bergen Show' (1957-1958) and later starring in the acclaimed TV movie 'The Winds of War' (1983). Beyond entertainment, she became a successful businesswoman, launching a cosmetics line, clothing brand, and writing several books. Her career demonstrated remarkable longevity and adaptability, allowing her to remain relevant across multiple entertainment mediums well into the 21st century.
The Craft
On Screen
Polly Bergen was known for her natural, versatile acting style that could seamlessly transition between light comedy and intense drama. She possessed a warm screen presence combined with emotional depth, allowing her to portray both sophisticated leading ladies and vulnerable characters with equal authenticity. Her background in singing contributed to her distinctive voice delivery and timing, while her television experience helped her develop an intimate connection with audiences that translated well to film roles.
Milestones
- Film debut in 'At War with the Army' (1950) with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
- Academy Award nomination for 'Cape Fear' (1962)
- Emmy Award for 'The Winds of War' (1983)
- Hosted 'The Polly Bergen Show' (1957-1958)
- Successful business ventures including Polly Bergen Cosmetics
- Published multiple books including beauty guides and memoirs
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series or a Special (1983) for 'The Winds of War'
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (1963) for 'The Caretakers'
Nominated
- Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (1963) for 'Cape Fear'
- Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Star - Female (1958)
- Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Actress in a Leading Role (1958)
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (1960)
- Women in Film Crystal Award (1989)
- Sarah Siddons Award (1971)
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Polly Bergen made significant cultural impact as one of television's pioneering female hosts, breaking barriers for women in entertainment during the 1950s. Her role in 'Cape Fear' helped define the psychological thriller genre and demonstrated her range beyond musical comedy. As a successful entrepreneur, she challenged Hollywood's age restrictions on women, building business empires well into her later years. Bergen's openness about personal struggles, including her experiences with domestic violence, helped bring important social issues into mainstream conversation during an era when such topics were largely taboo.
Lasting Legacy
Polly Bergen's legacy encompasses her multifaceted contributions to entertainment and business. She is remembered as a trailblazer who successfully navigated the transition from film to television, and as an entrepreneur who created successful beauty and fashion lines. Her Academy Award-nominated performance in 'Cape Fear' remains a landmark in psychological thriller cinema, while her Emmy-winning work in 'The Winds of War' showcased her dramatic abilities in television's golden age of miniseries. Bergen's books on beauty and aging gracefully continue to influence generations of women, cementing her status as a cultural icon beyond her entertainment career.
Who They Inspired
Polly Bergen influenced subsequent generations of entertainers by demonstrating the viability of multi-platform careers spanning film, television, music, and business. Her success as a television host paved the way for future female hosts like Carol Burnett and Oprah Winfrey. Her business ventures inspired other performers to diversify their income streams and build personal brands. Bergen's advocacy for women's issues and her candid discussions about aging in Hollywood helped change industry perceptions about older women in entertainment, influencing how actresses approach their careers in later decades.
Off Screen
Polly Bergen was married five times and had three children. Her first marriage to actor Jerome Courtland ended in divorce. She then married film director Roger H. Lewis, followed by a marriage to record executive Freddie Fields, with whom she had two children, Pamela and Peter. After her divorce from Fields, she married businessman Bernard Safier, and finally, entrepreneur Jeffrey Endervelt in her later years. Bergen was known for her resilience and independence, often discussing her experiences with domestic violence in her first marriage to raise awareness. She was also an outspoken advocate for women's rights and ageism in Hollywood.
Education
Graduated from high school in Knoxville, Tennessee; pursued additional training in acting and singing in New York City
Family
- Jerome Courtland (1951-1955)
- Roger H. Lewis (1957-1958)
- Freddie Fields (1957-1975)
- Bernard Safier (1978-1980)
- Jeffrey Endervelt (1982-2014, her death)
Did You Know?
- Changed her name from Nellie Paulina Burgin to Polly Bergen early in her career
- Was a successful recording artist with hits like 'The Little Things Mean a Lot'
- Spoke fluent Norwegian, learned from her Norwegian-American mother
- Published a beauty book 'The Polly Bergen Book of Beauty, Fashion, and Charm' in 1962
- Was a licensed pilot and flew her own plane
- Survived breast cancer in the 1970s and became an advocate for cancer awareness
- Her cosmetics company, Polly Bergen Cosmetics, was one of the first celebrity beauty lines
- Appeared on over 40 magazine covers throughout her career
- Was a regular panelist on game shows like 'To Tell the Truth' and 'Match Game'
- Received the Women's International Center Living Legacy Award in 1994
In Their Own Words
I've always believed that if you want something badly enough, you can achieve it. That's been my philosophy all my life.
Age is just a number. It's how you feel and how you live that matters.
I've been through a lot in my life, but I've never lost my sense of humor or my determination to keep going.
The little things in life are what make it worth living - that's why I loved singing that song so much.
Being a woman in show business has never been easy, but it's always been worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Polly Bergen?
Polly Bergen was an American actress, singer, television host, and entrepreneur who enjoyed a versatile career spanning over six decades. She began as a recording artist before transitioning to film and television, earning an Academy Award nomination for 'Cape Fear' and an Emmy for 'The Winds of War.' Beyond entertainment, she built successful business ventures including cosmetics and fashion lines.
What films is Polly Bergen best known for?
Polly Bergen is best known for her roles in 'At War with the Army' (1950), her film debut with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis; 'Cape Fear' (1962), which earned her an Academy Award nomination; 'The Caretakers' (1963), for which she won a Golden Globe; and 'Move Over, Darling' (1963) with Doris Day and James Garner.
When was Polly Bergen born and when did she die?
Polly Bergen was born on July 14, 1930, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and passed away on September 20, 2014, at the age of 84 in Southbury, Connecticut, from natural causes.
What awards did Polly Bergen win?
Polly Bergen won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series for 'The Winds of War' (1983) and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for 'The Caretakers' (1963). She also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for 'Cape Fear' (1962) and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
What was Polly Bergen's acting style?
Polly Bergen was known for her natural, versatile acting style that could transition seamlessly between comedy and drama. She possessed a warm screen presence with emotional depth, allowing her to portray both sophisticated characters and vulnerable roles. Her musical background contributed to her distinctive timing and voice delivery, creating an intimate connection with audiences.
Did Polly Bergen have a career outside of acting?
Yes, Polly Bergen had a diverse career beyond acting. She was a successful recording artist with Capitol Records, hosted her own television variety show 'The Polly Bergen Show,' and built business empires including Polly Bergen Cosmetics and fashion lines. She also authored several books on beauty and personal development.
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Films
1 film
